Covid-19 : Zambia Health Minister infected

Zambia is one of southern Africa’s most impacted nations despite being way behind continent leader South Africa.

A lockdown imposed by President Edgar Lungu has since been relaxed following a continent-wide trend. This article will focus on major developments coming from the southern African country.

Local media portals have reported that Zambia’s health minister has tested positive for COVID-19. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya becomes the second cabinet member to be infected.

Chilufya has been in the fore front of the country’s fight against the virus among others giving press briefings on developments and announcing virus control measures.

Last week, information minister and government spokesperson Dora Siliya confirmed having been infected and explained that her decision to publicize the news was to help combat stigma.

Zambia’s case statistics stands at 920 cases, 336 recoveries, seven deaths and 577 active cases as of May 27, 2020 GMT. Local media are also reporting 137 new cases over the last five days and 433 recoveries. If confirmed the case count will pass the 1,000 mark and recoveries will also surpass 760.

JUST IN: JUST IN: Minister of Health @mohzambia Hon Dr Chitalu Chilufya has tested positive for #Covid-19 #Zambia pic.twitter.com/bzAdFHmqsx

— Mwebantu (@Mwebantu) May 27, 2020

Information Minister and chief government spokesperson, Dora Siliya, confirmed testing positive for Edgar Lungu on Saturday. In a video posted on Twitter, she said she had gone into immediate self-isolation despite being asymptomatic.

“I have since alerted the ministry of health and I have given them all my contacts especially in the last 10 days,” she added. “Let us continue to observe social distancing, masking and washing our hands regularly,” she advised.

The World Health Organization’s Africa head reacting to the news today congratulated the Minister for being open about her status and wished her speedy recovery.

Over in South Sudan, the first vice-president and a number of ministers had earlier this week tested positive for the virus. Over in Nigeria three state governors have recovered from the virus – those in question are governors of Oyo, Kaduna and Bauchi.

Zambia virus stats as of May 24, 2020 at 13:00 GMT
Confirmed cases = 920
Deaths = 7
Recoveries = 336
Active cases = 577

I thank @Dora_Siliya, Zambia's Minister of Information & Broadcasting Services, for being so open & sharing important information on #COVID19 risk & prevention measures. Such candour is vital to fighting stigma around the virus. I wish you a speedy recovery. https://t.co/ujQyMlkAQe

— Dr Matshidiso Moeti (@MoetiTshidi) May 24, 2020